Even if you win....

....the rat race, you will still be a rat. Success is not the be all and end all of existence. Or, at least, not 'success' in the very materialistic sense of the word. If you are truly happy, you can consider yourself successful. If you are being creative, if you are making a constructive contribution, if you are having a positive impact on someone's life, all these things and more make everything worthwhile.

Still, though, we judge ourselves in terms of goals achieved and expectations met. Apply a different standard.

Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.  (Kahlil Gibran)